OPEN LETTER TO BARBARA BOXER

Re: Labeling of genetically engineered foods

As a strong Democrat, I received your e-mail concerning labeling of Genetically Modified Food stuffs and would like to make the following argument. Yes, we have the right to know what we are eating; however, your blanket labeling of all genetically modified foods is much too broad. Labeling of every thing makes the legislation meaningless; in fact, it is dangerous because it will cause people to ignore it. Virtually every food we eat, scientists and agriculturalist have genetically modified in some way; yet, many people do not know this. Only a very rare product, almost a vanishing small number, is harmful to human or animal health. Harm results almost exclusively from those that deal with the introduction of an antigen (something that might cause allergic reaction) of ones type or another. The distributors must label such foods. Apparently, your advisors have misled you. I careful read your letter asking for support for this legislation and could not find one bit of solid scientific evidence to support it—not one. The letter was based on emotion not fact.

You as a Senator, concerned with public health should focus on only those foods that scientists have proven can harm a person’s health. As just stated, that would only be a rare commodity on a grocery store shelf. Yes, the government should demand foods be labeled if scientists have proved that they contain, for example, a peanut allergen.

I am afraid your advisers have created a trap for you. I know you do not oppose big business just because they are big business—the label conservative pin on liberals. The proposed legislation put you in opposition to scientific advancement—not a good place to be. A number of organizations oppose genetically modified foods as part of some sort of great hidden conspiracy, which claims big business intentionally intends to harm people; especially seed companies. These are the same people who are claim the government intrudes in to their private lives, who for example see fluoridation as harmful. You know as well as I know that government is there to help people; it is there to do what people cannot do for them selves.

It is morally wrong to become involved in a movement designed to prevent scientists from genetically modifying a plant that can feed millions of starving people just because a rare child with an allergy might become sick or even die. They also modify plants the decrease the use of insecticides and fertilizers. Your state is an agriculture state. It has economically benefited and will continue to benefit from science.

You are too good a Senator to have a radical group corrupt your good office by this legislation . . . they are really conservative, not progressive; think, they want to keep things as they were in 1913 and not like they are in 2013.

I as an ex college professor and not connected to any agribusiness in anyway can only say to you, keep up the good work for your State but also for the Nation. Do the right thing by doing things right.

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